White Party
Recently, I had the honor of speaking at an Influence Circle Dinner in Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia—an experience that reminded me of one powerful truth: Showing up is everything. Erika Baez-Grimes invited me to this incredible event, and, to be honest, there were plenty of reasons not to go—an hour-plus drive after a long workday, rush hour traffic, and rain. But I said yes. Why? Because showing up is a choice. And sometimes, that one simple decision can lead to incredible opportunities and experiences you never imagined. At the dinner, I met some truly inspiring individuals—including Dr. Geith Kallas, who later invited me to my first-ever White Party (another event I almost talked myself out of…who has a perfect white outfit just waiting for an invitation?!). But once again, I said yes—and let me tell you, it was AMAZING. Imagine: flamenco dancers, a mermaid in the pool, water bubble dancing, a stunning opera performance, and delicious Syrian food. But the real magic? Dr. Kallas’s story. He shared his journey of coming to America—navigating the risks, the challenges, and the incredible opportunities that arose simply because he chose to show up. His story was filled with gratitude, not just for what he has, but for everything he’s worked for. It was the kind of reminder that the American Dream is built on hard work, resilience, and the courage to take that first step, even when it’s uncomfortable. 🌟 Key Takeaway: Opportunity is always knocking, you just have to open the door. Showing up—even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable—unlocks doors to new connections, lessons, and opportunities that can transform your life. So here’s to showing up. To saying yes when it counts. Because you never know what might be waiting on the other side of that decision. hashtag#ShowingUp hashtag#Leadership hashtag#Networking hashtag#AmericanDream hashtag#Opportunities hashtag#Gratitude hashtag#PersonalGrowth hashtag#LeadershipLessons hashtag#RiskTaking
Resourcefulness Got Me An MBA
Resourcefulness got me into an MBA program without finishing high school or college, helped me build a venture-backed tech startup, and helped me prove my own story after a journalist questioned it. This weekend, it led me down a skincare rabbithole. Let me explain: Every year, I look forward to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — especially the Beauty Exclusives (Yes, I may or may not have an 80-step skincare routine 😄). A few years ago, I bought an expensive product that seemed to go bad way too quickly, and after multiple unanswered emails to the company to find out the manufacture or expiration date, I became more determined. Fast forward to me diving into AI, chats, and reviews for answers, and here’s what I uncovered: 1️⃣ AI can compare products effectively.I compared two Kiehl’s moisturizers (one for face, one for body) and, surprise, the ingredients were nearly identical! The face product was smaller and more expensive, but the body moisturizer worked just as well on the face. 2️⃣ Product codes are not random!I used a site called CheckFresh to decipher the tiny, seemingly random product codes on the packaging and found that a Clarins serum I just purchased was almost 2 years old… before I even opened it. And this $200+ serum is listed with a 2-year shelf life. Same for Lancome. 3️⃣ Consumers are more informed than ever.Thanks to AI, I found that many “premium” skincare products weren’t actually better—in fact, many less expensive options had the same ingredients. Another surprise: Items packaged as a set for the sale had very different manufacture dates, months or years apart. Are old products being repackaged? What does this mean for the future of skincare…and business? As AI spreads, consumers will demand more. More transparency, better consumer knowledge, and the rise of natural ingredients that offer real value. I will still buy some “premium” products, especially if they have higher-quality ingredients but I’ll do more research first! If there’s one lesson here, it’s that resourcefulness always pays off — whether you’re navigating business or the beauty aisle. Kiehl’s Since 1851 | Clarins USA, Inc. | L’OCCITANE Group (B Corp) | ELEMIS | Beiersdorf | CheckFresh.com hashtag#Resourcefulness hashtag#AI hashtag#Skincare hashtag#BeautyTech hashtag#ConsumerPower hashtag#Innovation
Jason Virts
Some people start with every advantage. Others start with almost none — and still succeed. When Jason Virts was removed from his home as an infant under unimaginable circumstances, and later lost his mother in a tragic act of violence, he didn’t have a roadmap. He had to create one. At 14, he was working in a grocery store. Today, he’s in college and interning at the Space Telescope Science Institute—proof that resilience and resourcefulness can change the trajectory of a life. On this episode of The Laura Neuman Show, we talk about:👉 What it means to choose your family 👉 How to keep showing up when the odds are against you 👉 And how determination, not luck, has shaped Jason’s path S1: Episode 3 – Choosing Your Family with Jason Virts This is a conversation about strength, growth, and finding your own way forward—no matter where you start. Watch/Listen now-Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eHSY4K2m Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e9JmGN3F Apple: https://lnkd.in/eVUFekSh hashtag#Resilience hashtag#Resourcefulness hashtag#Leadership hashtag#Grit hashtag#TheLauraNeumanShow hashtag#Podcast hashtag#Inspiration hashtag#OvercomingAdversity
Women’s Leadership
When Stacey Smith asked me to speak at a women’s leadership event, I said yes—because I was curious. Curious about the theme, the audience, and what she had in mind. I’ve shared my journey before—how I earned an MBA without finishing high school or college, built a venture-backed tech company after being ignored by big tech, and ran for public office without political connections. At the event, I spoke about the 4 habits of resourceful leaders: 👉 Believe in yourself👉 Show up👉 Bet on yourself👉 Advocate for yourself & others But what made this event truly unforgettable wasn’t the talk. It was Stacey’s decision to use the gathering to support Richcroft—an organization that’s transformed my sister Leslie’s life. Leslie is developmentally disabled. And for the first time in her life, she has a full, joyful, independent life—because of the extraordinary people at Richcroft. That’s the kind of event Stacey creates: one that blends purpose, leadership, and community impact. She’s built an incredible career producing high-level corporate events. But this time, she used her platform to give back—and it made all the difference. 💛 To everyone who attended—thank you for showing up. I met so many remarkable women. 💛 To Stacey—your heart and vision are unmatched. 💛 To Richcroft—thank you for giving my sister a life filled with dignity and joy. 📸 Special thanks to Pam Long for capturing the night beautifully. 🙌 And to Barbara Moyer for sharing the powerful work Richcroft is doing. 👉 If you’re looking for an event planner who leads with purpose, call Stacey Smith. 👉 If you want to support an organization doing life-changing work, check out Richcroft Inc. hashtag#LeadershipWithPurpose hashtag#EventPlanning hashtag#Richcroft hashtag#Gratitude hashtag#CommunityMatters hashtag#WomensLeadership hashtag#DevelopmentalDisabilities
